Chapter Twenty-Six

Blake

I chewed nervously on my lips as I checked my clothes in the mirror. It was a rehearsal dinner at some new fancy restaurant a couple of towns over, and I wanted to look decent. One of my closest friends was getting married to my best friend’s brother, and I didn’t want to ruin anything. I wasn’t a big fan of suits, only wearing them to award shows before hiding them in the back of my closest, but this one wasn’t too bad. It was one of the first ones I had custom tailored. The green brought out my eyes, or at least that’s what I thought. I didn’t know. Maybe I should ask the band what they thought. Tommy had gone back to his house to change, and I couldn’t wait to see what he wore. He would look more than amazing. He could always fill out a suit.

“Knock, knock.” Killian’s voice drifted through my bedroom door. “Can I come in, or are you naked in there?”

I snorted. “You wish.”

“Maybe I do.” He pushed the door open and grinned at me when I flipped him two middle fingers. “Where’s your man?”

I felt warmth shoot up my neck at the mention of Tommy. “Where’s yours? Aren’t you two joined at the hip or dick or whatever?”

“Contrary to what everyone thinks, I can walk and talk without Matthias. Even feed myself like an adult. He and Dean are helping Maverick get dressed.” Killian’s eyes grew soft as he stepped into my room. “Apparently, Jackson and I aren’t allowed in there. You’d think it was the actual wedding day.”

“Matty and Maverick have gotten close, huh?”

Considering what our drummer had done to him, I was more than surprised. I wasn’t sure I could be that big of a person if someone released a recording of me having sex with my secret boyfriend. The one who’d claimed he was straight.

Killian leaned against the wall, the seams of his gray suit threatening to rip as he folded his arms over his chest. “We both forgave Maverick. It was harder for me because I could have had that extra time with the love of my life, but we had no idea Mav was struggling the way he was. It made so much sense once he finally confessed everything.”

“You like to play the part of the asshole, Kill, but you’re a big softy at heart.”

“Fuck you. Take that back, Duncan.”

I shook my head. “Nope, sorry, can’t do that. The truth has been spoken.”

“Asshole.” Killian smirked. “Listen, if Tommy hurts you again—”

Big fucking softy. “You’ll break his face? I appreciate that, man, but Tommy and I worked things out. We’re going to live our happily ever after, just like everyone else.” I felt a smile spread over my face. “But it’s nice to know you have my back.”

“Well, you’re my friend, and I don’t want to see you hurt.” Killian dropped his gaze to his shoes. “I guess maybe I should tell Dean the same thing.”

I moved closer so I could bump his arm with mine. “Yeah, maybe you should. Don’t you want Dean to be happy, too? Jackson likes Beau, so maybe that should mean something.”

“Whatever.” Killian grunted, then bumped me back.

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye before Dean appeared in the doorway. “He’s your best friend. He wants your approval more than he wants mine. Maybe stop being such a dick about Beau and get to know him. We all love Matty.”

“I guess I could.” Killian grunted. “I don’t want to see him get hurt, you know? He’s acting like half the man he was before, and it’s because of Beau. He didn’t even tell me until the other day. Maybe I’m just kind of hurt that he felt he couldn’t talk to me. Tell me that he was gay or whatever. I know, I know, pot, kettle, black.”

“Kill?”

His head shot up when Dean spoke.

“Is that what this is really about?” Dean gave him a shy smile. “I was trying to figure it all out. I didn’t want you to think I had been hiding my sexuality from you, because I would never. I had no idea I was even into men until Beau.”

Killian shrugged. “Still would have been nice to know.”

“You didn’t tell me right away,” Dean reminded him.

“I was an idiot. I figured you would be better than me,” Killian muttered as he dragged a hand through his dark curls.

“I think I’m the biggest asshole out of the band,” Maverick called out from down the hall and then the soft sounds of running had him appearing next to his brother. “Not that it’s a contest, but if it was, I would win. Right?”

We all stared at our drummer. Normally in jeans and layers of clothing, the white shirt, pants, and the sparkle in his green eyes made him look stunning. Which is not something I had ever thought about Maverick before.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he whispered. “Do I look that horrible? I thought this outfit would be perfect for dinner tonight. I’m wearing a tux tomorrow. Say something.” He glanced up at his brother. “I won’t be upset if you say you don’t like it.”

Dean spoke first. “You look beautiful.”

“Really? You’re not just saying that because you’re afraid I’ll get mad, are you?” Maverick’s eyes grew wide.

Killian nodded. “No, you look good.”

“Am I dead? Did I have a freak accident or something? I think Killian just told me I looked good.” Maverick giggled, and our singer groaned. “You all look good, too. I like the suits.”

I smiled. “Look at us. We’re getting ready to celebrate the first Mulligan wedding. If you had told me a year ago that this was going to happen, I would have laughed in your face.”

“Probably because you thought I would be the one getting married first,” Killian teased. “What? I would have dragged Matthias off to Vegas if he would let me. Doesn’t stop me from asking him to marry me as often as possible.”

Dean hooked an arm around his brother. “I never thought the four of us would get married, never mind fall in love. Oh, and we’re all into dick. That is probably the biggest surprise.”

“No one saw that coming.” I grinned. “Well, maybe Killian.”

“Is it pick on me day? What did I do to deserve this?” He mock-gasped as he brought his hand to his heart. “Babe! Where are you? I need someone to tell me how amazing I am.”

We all broke out into laughter. I had never been happier than I was right now. I had Tommy back, I was friends with all my bandmates again, and I never wanted this moment to end.

***

Maverick hadn’t stopped smiling since we’d arrived at the posh restaurant, nor had he left Jackson’s side. The two of them sat at the head of the table together, whispering things that no one else could hear and exchanging kisses without a care in the world. I wanted that. The thought shocked me. Not that I didn’t want to marry Tommy, because I did; I just wanted that eternal happiness with the man I loved.

Speaking of, he looked good enough to eat. Dressed in the perfectly fitted maroon suit, his auburn hair styled perfectly, and just a little bit of a five o’clock shadow on his face, my man looked better than anyone else tonight. As he leaned in to listen to something Helena said, I reached over and laced our fingers together. He squeezed my hand tightly, then turned to look at me.

“Everything good, Bug?”

“Everything is perfect.”

Tommy smiled, his dark eyes shining with happiness. “You want this? I mean, the whole big wedding thing?”

I nodded.

“Good, because I want to give it to you.”

“What if I want to give it to you?” I murmured.

The lust that raced through my veins had me wanting to drag Tommy from the restaurant back to my house. I wanted to have my way with him so I could show him exactly what I meant.

His eyes went wide, then darkened. “You’re being naughty tonight.”

“Mm, but you like it.” I grinned. I tugged on his hand so I could kiss his knuckles. “You said we could.”

Tommy’s tongue came out to swipe at his bottom lip. “And we will.”

A soft tap against a glass stole our attention away from one another. Jackson was standing next to a blushing Maverick, his small frame pressed against his fiancé’s side. His smile was so big, and bright that he looked like he would burst at the seams at any moment.

“We wanted to thank all of you, our friends and family, for coming tonight. For coming to Canfield to celebrate our big day tomorrow.” Jackson looked around the table. “We wouldn’t be here in this moment if it weren’t for all of you. For being there for me, for caring about Mavs and helping him figure himself out. I appreciate all you have done for us. I’ve been in love with Maverick for a very long time, and I want to make him happier than he’s ever been.”

Maverick flushed. “I am horrible at public speaking. You all know I don’t like to be the center of attention. I owe a lot to Matty and Kill. For forgiving me and welcoming me into their home when I showed up unannounced. My bandmates for putting up with my bullshit for so many years and not kicking me out when I was at my worst.” His eyes met Dean’s. “And my brother. Who has been the best friend I could have ever wanted. I’m so glad we’re speaking again. I missed you.”

My eyes burned with unshed tears. I leaned over to tell Tommy I loved him, but he kissed me instead, his soft lips warm against mine. I resisted the urge to climb into his lap because I’m classy like that, but I still sucked his tongue into my mouth before he pulled away.

“I need to thank Beau and his sister, Sam, for the day she ran into Maverick in the coffee shop. If she hadn’t reached out to my teammate, her brother, to have me come get my boyfriend, none of us would be here right now.” Jackson leaned down to press a kiss into Maverick’s hair, and Mav buried his face in his side.

Beau waved a hand in the air. “I can’t take the credit for that. That’s all on my sister, who you’ll meet tomorrow. But you two are couple goals, and I hope that Dean and I can be as happy as you are someday.”

Dean beamed and blushed. He kept his gaze on Beau, who pushed the green hair back from his face.

“Uh, yeah.” Maverick pulled back to look at Jackson, who nodded. “Speaking of that day, I met a young fan that same morning, and I’ve been helping him with his drumming. Not that he needs it. But he’s going to be moving in with us. We’re going to foster him first, and then maybe, if it all works out, officially adopt him.”

“Are you telling me that I’m going to be a grandmother?” Adele gasped, then jumped to her feet to rush to them. “This is truly a happy moment.” She wrapped her arms around her son and soon-to-be son-in-law.

I wasn’t sure I could see Maverick as someone’s father, but hell, if he wouldn’t be the best dad in the world after what he grew up with. Suddenly, I realized that we were all grown up. Mav was going to be married and have a kid. Killian wanted to have us all come stay with him in North Carolina so we could still record but not have to tour, which would help both him and Maverick. Dean was in love with a man, and hopefully moving on with his life.

And I had Tommy again. The boy who’d helped save my mother’s life, pushed me to pursue my dreams, and was the only person I ever wanted by my side. Forever.